Chapter 11

The roaring sounds of fire crackling around her are causing her instincts to scream at her, telling the confused and disconnected woman to run, to get out. Everything is blurry and distorted. A thick wave of heat hits Kaida's face. What is going on? What is happening? Her clouded mind screams. Debris crumbles down beside the her feet with dying embers dancing in the air.

"Where am I?" she groans, covering her face to block out what she can of the smoke. A faint cry is heard from a distance, giving Kaida an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She rubs her eyes to clear her vision and then looks around for an exit. A doorway, bordered by fire, stands strong before her like an abyss in an inferno pit. Taking a deep breath, the anxious woman runs through the opening, only to appear in another room engulfed by flames.

"What the hell?" Kaida says looking around. The room looks exactly like the one she had just came out of. Scanning the surroundings once again, she sees that there is only one exit—the black void-like doorway. She hears the faint calling once again, the voice still sounding far away. Settling on the idea of trying again, Kaida gets into the running stance and dives through the opening, her eyes closed tightly to avoid the falling embers from the door frame.

Opening her eyes once again, she takes in her environment. It is so surreal; everything is the same, like an infinite loop. From the blazing fire blanketing the walls, to the empty darkness symbolizing as a door. Panic rises in Kaida's chest and the need to escape this bizarre, burning building only escalates when she hears the faint calling once again. But this time it is different. This time it sounds as if it is closer; the crying out in the distance is approaching, desperation in her voice.

As the voice of a child becomes clearer, Kaida is finally able to make out some of the words being hollered out. "Don't...!"

"Hello?!" The woman attempts to call out to the young girl, trying to determine where the voice is coming from. "Where are you?! Keep talking so I can find you!"

"Don't...You can't..." The voice gets louder, but the crackling and hissing of the flames make it difficult to catch every word. Suddenly, from out of the darkness of the room, a young girl stumbles in. Her hair is as black as the blackest raven; her panicked and desperate eyes are a familiar deep violet. It was like looking into mirror at a younger version of herself. The young girl grasps onto Kaida's sleeves tightly, tears pooling in her frightened eyes. "Don't let them have it! Don't let them take it from me!"

The woman drops down to her knees, placing her hands firmly on the child's shoulders, "Who? Who is after you? And what do they want?"

Anxiety and panic rise inside Kaida as the girl clings onto her sleeves tighter. "They are everywhere, watching me, chasing me! Mother told me to run, to hide. But they keep finding me. They are after me! Don't let them take it!" The child cries in hysterics.

"Who? Tell me! Who—."

The loud screech of a bird cuts off Kaida, sending icy chills up and down her spine.

The little girl pales, speaking in barely a whisper, "They're here."

The now terrified woman looks down at the child, seeing her violet eyes locked on something above them. Following her stare, Kaida slowly looks up, seeing a large bird flying above them. A black raven with glowing red eyes is circling around them, like a hawk and its prey. Out of impulse, the woman grabs a hold of the young girl, embracing her, shielding her as best as she can.

In reaction to the sudden movement, the raven jerks its head over to see her, croaking something at them before diving with incredible speed. Kaida tightens her hold on the girl, preparing for the attack as her eyes are locked onto the raven's menacing red ones. Seconds before impact, the raven and the fiery environment violently disappears—the raven dispersing into shadows and everything from the ground to the air around her is quaking away.

Kaida shoots up from her sleep with her heart pounding against her chest and her breathing in a heavy, unsteady pace. She gulps and picks up her hands, observing the intense shaking that she couldn't control. "It was only a dream," she whispers, trying to calm herself down. She turns her gaze to the right, seeing Rin asleep soundly beside her.

Outside, the morning sun has yet to rise. It has been a week of being in the village and no impending danger has threatened the lives of the innocent people who live here. Also, Kangee hasn't been seen since he had led her to her old village. He is a mysterious being—that raven.

Kaida tries laying down again to see if she can go back to sleep. She reclines there, thinking about the dream she had. The images in her mind play over and over: the burning building, the little girl with the tears in her eyes, begging for help, and the most unsettling of all, the raven flying above them. What does it mean? What is going on? She asks herself.

She rolls over, trying to get comfortable so she can rest, but her mind wouldn't settle. Grumbling, Kaida gives up, deciding that taking a walk would clear her head.

She stands up, grabbing the blanket off her bed and laying it gently over Rin's little frame. The nights were getting cooler as fall is approaching. The child shuffles underneath the sheet, causing Kaida to tense for a moment.

When the little girl gets still again, Kaida relaxes and grabs her folded kimono from the other side of the room. She changes into the clean, silk robes, grateful to Lady Kaede for her skilled repairs. The fabric looks brand new. The colors are vibrant once again and the sewn up tears are hardly recognizable. She is a magnificent woman, indeed.

After Kaida ties her obi in the back, the young woman sneaks out of the door of the hut; not wanting to wake anyone in the home. Once outside, she strolls through the sleeping village, admiring how peaceful the tiny town looks. It's nice to see something calming for a change.

Feeling compelled to continue walking out of the village into the nearby forest, the curious female comes upon an old well. She observes the well inquisitively, looking inside the dark hole. Bones filled the bottom, covered in dirt, and the walls of the shaft has vines growing all over.

"What an odd well," Kaida says to herself. "There is a strange sensation coming from it, but I just can't make it out."

"What are you doing?" a male voice says from behind her, startling her.

She whips around to see Inuyasha standing there with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. "Oh, um, I was just taking a walk. To clear my head."

Inuyasha sighs, "It's dangerous to be walking outside of the village alone. Especially in your condition."

"My condition is just fine, Inuyasha. I'm fully healed and I can protect myself," Kaida declares defensively.

"What I meant is that you seem very distracted. If I was wanting to attack you, it would have been very easy to do so and you not have a chance to defend yourself," he replies, also in a defensive manner.

"Oh. I see," the woman sighs, understanding what he meant.

"So, what is it?" he asks, jumping into a dog-like sitting position on the wooden frame of the shaft, beside her.

"What?" Kaida responds, taken aback by the intense look on his face.

"On your mind. What is it?" he replies. "There's something troubling you."

"It's nothing," she lies. It isn't something she could really talk to him about. Inuyasha is an outsider to the situation. He wouldn't understand anything about what is truly going on in her life. The one person she can really talk to is Kangee, but he is missing in action as of right now, and no telling when he will show up again. There is Ryoko, but that would mean going back to the castle; and by castle, I mean, Shoumetsu. The idea sent a chill down her spine.

"You're spacing out again," Inuyasha sighs, resting his chin in his hand.

"Hmph," Kaida says, turning around on her heel. Ignoring the half-demon, she strides over to a large tree standing taller than the rest. "Magnificent," she gasps.

"What?" the man said, looking at her strangely.

"This tree," she replies admiringly. "It's so big; it even seems to have its own spiritual energy."

"It is known as the Tree Of Ages."

Kaida looks around, searching for who said that, but no one is around except her and Inuyasha.

"Ah, it's been awhile, Master Inuyasha. Still as tasty as ever." A small dot on the dog demon's nose swells before getting smashed with a clawed hand. The tiny creature floats down into Inuyasha's palm and then returns to its normal shape.

"What are you doing, Myoga?" the irritated half-demon asks.

"I've been hearing rumors that Lord Sesshomaru had brought a mysterious human to the village, so I came here to investigate." The little flea looks over Kaida, saying, "Hmm. So, the rumors are true. You are a mysterious human, indeed."

Kaida takes a step back, raising an eyebrow to what the flea said, "Huh?"

Before she could do anything else, the tiny demon jumps onto her forearm and then to her shoulder. Without any warning, Kaida feels a sting on her neck. The flea is biting her, his body expanding as he sucks up blood. As a natural reflex, she slaps the side of her neck, smashing the insect like a pancake. "So you are the human prodigy," he says, floating to her palm. Unnoticed by the group, tiny purple sparks flash quickly around Myoga as he lays there flat, casually being zapped by little electrical sparks.

"Prodigy?"

Kaida stiffens at the sound of his voice, her face flushing involuntarily. Myoga pops back to normal and leaps onto Inuyasha's shoulder, cowering behind a lock of thick, silver hair. Standing directly behind the woman, Sesshomaru towers above her in an intimidating manner, his cold eyes staring down at her as if she is nothing but a speck of dirt. Kaida's heart is pounding as she remains paralyzed with embarrassment and a hint of fear. What is wrong with me? Snap out of it, she barks at herself.

Myoga slightly trimmers in distress at the sight of the now Great Dog Demon, "S-s-so nice of you to j-join us, Lord Sesshomaru."

His icy, golden eyes shift to the small flea-demon and in a mocking tone, he says, "You haven't changed, Myoga. Still hiding behind that pathetic half-breed anytime I come around."

"Why, you," Inuyasha growls, his right hand clenched into a tight fist.

The tiny old man scratches the top of his head as he steps out from behind Inuyasha's hair, "Now, that's not fair. You simply appeared out of nowhere and startled me."

"Where have you been?" Inuyasha asks Sesshomaru.

He narrows his eyes in irritation, "That is none of your concern. Besides, Inuyasha, this has nothing to do with you." Transferring his attention away from the aggravated half-demon, Sesshomaru says, "What did you mean by 'human prodigy'?"

Myoga fiddles for a moment before clearing his throat. "There is an old prophecy in these lands that very few humans and demons, alike, know about.

"The prophecy foretells that a human prodigy will be born with great power. It is said that the human with this great power will forever rid the world of true darkness and chaos."

"But I don't have any power," Kaida explains, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Hm. I wouldn't be so certain of that," Myoga argues, "your blood is quite shocking."

"Shocking?" Kaida and Inuyasha say in unison while Sesshomaru glances at the woman, seemingly unsurprised.

The flea continues, "Yes. When I sucked the blood from your body, it felt like I was being electrocuted from the inside," he explains. "It is almost as though your body is flowing with an overwhelming amount of power that cannot escape the barrier of flesh."

"That's impossible," Kaida tries to argue. "I have never had any powers or magic or anything of the sort. I'm just an ordinary human! Why can't anyone understand that?!" She backs away a few feet, separating herself from the group. Her breathing is heavy; she was getting frustrated. Everywhere Kaida had been—almost everyone she had met had claimed that she has a great force inside her. Is she just in denial? Is Kaida really the prodigy this so-called prophecy predicts? She needs proof.

"If I—," she begins to ask, but is interrupted by a young girl appearing from behind the bushes, followed by a small fox-demon.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you're back!" Rin exclaims excitedly. Seeing Kaida, she informs, "There you are, Kaida. Lady Kaede sent me to find you and let you know that breakfast is ready."

"Oh, uh, thank you. I'll be right there," Kaida smiles, grateful for the distraction. Using the excuse as an escape, she turns to the group of demons before her and bows in respect, then hurries off to Kaede's house with Rin close behind.

"What was that all about?" Shippo asks, confused by the woman's behavior.

Myoga sighs, "It appears that she is in denial about what I have revealed to her."

"Revealed to her? What do you mean, Myoga?"

Sesshomaru interrupts. "If the woman doesn't want to believe it, then let her be. It doesn't concern us." The demon walks away, leaving Inuyasha and Shippo staring at each other with baffled expressions on their faces.

Meanwhile, Rin and Kaida are walking back to the hut. Every once in awhile, Rin notices that Kaida keeps on spacing out. Something must have happened, she wonders to herself.

"What were you doing, Kaida?" the young girl finally asks.

"Oh, um, nothing. We were all just talking," she smiles, not really wanting to talk about what is troubling her mind.

"Oh, okay," Rin replies, her face still solemn.

"So…How did you sleep?" Kaida says, quickly trying to lighten the mood.

The girl gives a big smile, "Good! What about you?"

She tenses, scenes of her nightmare flashing rapidly in her mind. "I…I slept well. The best rest I've had in a long time," she lies, a fake smile trying to hide the anxiety in her heart.

"That's good," Rin replies. That's not what it sounded like last night, the girl's thoughts betray her genuine smile.

"Well, here we are," Kaida says when they approach the straw door of Kaede's house and walks in. "Mm, it smells delicious, Lady Kaede. What are you cooking?" she asks enthusiastically, striding up next to the old woman to see the food.

"Ah, welcome back, Kaida," the old woman replies. "I have made steamed rice and miso soup. The others will be here shortly with the rest of the meal."

"Rest of the meal?" Kaida inquires.

"Aye. Sango, Miroku, and the others will be here. It has been two years since Naraku has been destroyed and the village has been at peace, so we are celebrating the occasion with a special breakfast," she explains.

"I see. Is there anything that I can help you with, Lady Kaede?"

"That isn't necessary, child. Ye just relax," the elderly priestess smiles.

"I can't just sit here and do nothing. There has to be something that I can do. I feel so useless here," Kaida sighs.

"I know! Since Lord Sesshomaru is back, you can help me pick some flowers for him." Kaede nods with approval to the young girl's suggestion, encouraging her to give the woman something to occupy herself. "Come on!" Rin urges, grabbing ahold of Kaida's arm with a huge grin across her face.

"Hold on, Rin," Kaede says quickly, remembering that she had something she wanted to talk to her about. "Ye go on ahead, Kaida will be with ye shortly. There is something I want to address with her."

"Okay," Rin replies, skipping happily out of the hut and around the corner. She stops behind the house, just in earshot of the old woman, and listens carefully to what Lady Kaede and Kaida could be talking about—her suspicions being confirmed.

"What ails ye, Kaida?" the wise priestess inquires, concern filling her voice.

"Huh?" Kaida replies, confused for a moment, unsure what the old lady is meaning.

"Since ye arrived here at the village, ye have kept to yourself and always appear to be lost in your thoughts. Is there something that ye would like to talk about? It will be just between the two of us." Kaede places the lid on top of the hot soup, keeping the heat trapped inside the pot, then turns around to Kaida with compassion in her eyes. "I know that ye haven't been sleeping well throughout the night."

Kaida sighs. She couldn't lie to the old woman. "You're right…I haven't been sleeping very well at all…." She confesses.

"Aye," Kaede nods, waiting patiently for her to continue.

"You see, I've been having this dream…the same vivid dream for the past week," Kaida explains. "I don't understand what it could mean or why I am having it, but I feel that something bad is about to happen."

"Is that so," the old woman says, "would ye mind telling me a little about this dream ye are speaking of?"

She doesn't answer right away, determining whether or not she should tell the priestess her nightmare. After deciding that it couldn't hurt and that it may only just be a dream, she takes a deep breath, organizing her thoughts. "I'm trapped in a burning building, in a room engulfed in flames, every direction I look…A young girl is hollering for help from the other side of the walls, but when I try to find her, I am unable to leave the room. I run through a dark doorway that the fire doesn't cover, but when I look around, I'm back in the same room I just ran out of."

As Kaida describes the rest of her dream, it is evident that she is reliving the details of her nightmare. Her voice begins to quiver; her anxious eyes avoid Kaede's while her mind observes the scenes as she describes them.

Kaede takes a moment to think to herself, "Don't let them have it…Is there something that ye have that your pursuers are trying to take from ye?"

"Well, Shoumetsu told me that he wants my soul, but before he can do that, I have to unlock my powers."

"And this Shoumetsu, he is the demon that is after ye," the priestess assumes.

"Yes," Kaida nods.

"And these powers that ye speak of, ye say that need to be unlocked. Do ye know what is locking them up in the first place?"

Kaida shakes her head slowly, hardly believing that she is accepting to go along with the idea.

Is this the seal?

Kaida tenses, remembering something. She reaches into her kimono, grasping a hold of a smooth, yet bumpy object and removing it from her robe. Opening her palm in her lap, the unique hair ribbon lays across her hand, and the small crack noticable across the jeweled amethyst. The woman stares at the ribbon, her heart pounding against her chest.

"That is a very interesting hair accessory," Kaede says. "May I take a closer look at it?"

Kaida looks up at the woman, then back down at the ribbon, "Uh, yeah. Here." She hands over the hair tie to Kaede and the old lady observes the stones closely, observing the larger stone more diligently.

"I see. There is a powerful spell placed on the stones," Kaede says, matter-of-fact.

"A spell?"

"A spell only a highly trained priestess can perform." Kaede hands the ribbon back to its rightful owner. "As long as the stone remains in one piece, the powers meant to be retained will stay sealed away—useless by anyone.

"There must be a reason for one to cast such a spell for a human, though," Kaede says, raising an eyebrow. "Is it to protect your soul from this demon?"

Kaida drops her eyes, thinking; trying to remember anything from her past. "I don't know."

Kaede places a hand on her knee, "I'm sure that everything will be fine, child. Ye are in good hands here. Now, Rin is waiting on ye. Go help her pick flowers for Sesshomaru." The old woman smiles, "Ye better hurry. It's almost time for the others to join us."

Kaida bows, grateful to talk to someone about her nightmares, "Thank you, Lady Kaede." She hurries out the door, and looks for Rin, finding her staring up at a tree a few yards away. "Hey, Rin. I'm sorry you had to wait so long."

Rin looks up to her and gives her a huge smile, "It's okay. I didn't wait too long." She grabs a hold of Kaida's hand, "Come on. I know a place with a lot of really pretty flowers."

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. Author's Note:

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I'd have to say, my favorite part was writing that dream. Talk about intense. What do you guys think about everything that is going on? I'd love to hear all about it. Please, leave me a review. All reviews are welcomed! Until next time!